Despite a sluggish overall economic situation, bad weather in eastern and central France and protests by farmers, MIDEST, the world’s leading industrial subcontracting show, which ran for the 43rd time from 19th to 22nd November at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, was a real success. On opening it matched the previous year’s show in terms of the number of exhibitors (1,702 companies from 38 countries) and exhibition space but it then went on to attract 42,101 professionals from all sectors of industry, which was an increase of 7% on 2012. Not only were the numbers up but the visitors were highly qualified and came with plans for actual business projects. The numerous events and initiatives reached out to a broad public, including, as they did, the show’s focus on energy, the choice of its first non-European country of the year, South Africa, the special Algerian day, the promotion of mechanical engineering trades to young girls by the FIM (mechanical engineering federation) and the b2fair– Business to Fairs® business meetings.